Data entry terminal having flexible, transparent front cover

ABSTRACT

A durable, clear, protective cover for a device having a touch screen, keypad, or other user interface. The cover protects the device without interfering with the ability to use the device. The protective cover is constructed by vacuum-forming a thin sheet of transparent polyurethane or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) on the front and at least a portion of the sides of a mold made of the target device. Accordingly, the protective cover made from a single piece of material will have the topography matching the device, which facilitates in the continued usability of the device when the protective cover is disposed on the device. Furthermore, the protective cover fits securely on the device such that no adhesives or other mechanisms are required to secure the protective cover onto the device, nor are any tools required to install or remove the protective cover.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to data entry terminals, and specifically, to protective covers for data entry terminals that have a touch screen interface and/or a keypad. The protective cover protects the data entry terminal from damage without interfering with the ability to use the data entry terminal.

2. Description of Related Art

Data entry terminals come in many forms such as stationary computer terminals, vehicle-mounted computer terminals, mobile or hand-held computers, barcode scanners, personal digital assistants (PDAs), or even cell phones. Such data entry terminals are convenient devices for entering, handling, and storing information in a variety of applications. For example, data entry terminals may be used for data collection applications in fields including industrial, retail, warehousing and distribution, manufacturing, transportation, healthcare, and customer service. In warehousing and distribution applications, for example, data entry terminals may be used to track and control product inventory by allowing access to and entry of data such as stock, order, delivery, receipt, and pricing information. Many data entry terminals allow a user to enter information through use of a touch screen interface, a keypad, or both. Generally, a data entry terminal having a touch screen interface will include a stylus used to press upon the touch screen in order to enter or manipulate data.

It is not uncommon for data entry terminals to become damaged over the course of their ordinary use. This is particularly true when data entry terminals are used in relatively rough environments such as warehouses or in the field. For example, touch screen terminal users have been known to use sharp objects as a substitute stylus (as opposed to the stylus intended to be used with the terminal) thereby scratching or gouging the screen such that over time the touch screen terminal no longer functions properly. Moreover, left unprotected, the tolerances provided in the manufacture of touch screen terminals may allow moisture to enter into the area between the touch screen interface (or lens) and the mating gasket. And, with respect to data entry terminals having keyboards or keypads, these devices are often constructed with high-profile keys to, among other things, facilitate ease of use by users wearing gloves. In these cases, it seems almost inevitable that the one or more of the high-profile keys will inadvertently catch on the edges of objects and be pulled out of the terminal.

Protective devices exist for protecting data entry terminals from abuse or other damage, but they are often expensive because they require significant manufacturing or material cost. For example, protective covers in the prior art often include a shell made of metal or rigid plastic, and are made by assembling multiple pieces together. On the other hand, less expensive protective devices suffer from not being particularly durable and unable to withstand any substantial amount of use or abuse. Still other protective devices do not allow the user to access or use the data entry terminal while the protective device is covering the data terminal's user interface.

It is desirable, therefore, to provide a relatively inexpensive but durable protective cover for devices that have a touch screen interface, keyboard, keypad, or other user interface susceptible to damage during ordinary use. It is also desirable that the protective cover not interfere with the user's ability to access and use the device's user interface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a durable, transparent, protective cover for a device that will not interfere with the ability to access and use the device's user interface. In an embodiment of the invention, the device to be protected comprises a computer terminal (stationary or vehicle-mounted), personal data assistant (PDA), hand held device (including, but not limited to, a mobile computer, data entry terminal, barcode scanner, or cell phone), or similar device of any suitable construction that includes a touch screen interface, keyboard, keypad, and/or other user interface susceptible to damage during ordinary use.

In an embodiment of the invention, the protective cover is constructed by vacuum-forming a thin, flexible sheet of transparent polyurethane, or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) over a mold of the desired device. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, 0.015 to 0.020 inch thick polyurethane sheet stock is used to construct protective covers for smaller devices, while 0.016 to 0.020 inch thick PVC sheet stock is used to construct protective covers for larger devices. The materials were chosen because after they are vacuum-formed, the resulting protective cover is thin and malleable enough to allow actuation of the data entry device's touch screen or keys, while also providing the desired protection and durability. An additional benefit of using these material is that they are relatively inexpensive. The transparency of the material enables unobstructed viewing of the protected touch screen and/or any legends on the protected keys.

The process of vacuum-forming allows for construction of a protective cover that exactly matches the contours to the device to be protected, particularly the front or face of the device where the user interface is generally located, as well as the sides of the device. Furthermore, vacuum-forming allows the protective cover to be made from a single sheet of material. In an embodiment of the invention, the protective cover is designed to fit securely over the front or face of the device to be protected and at least partially around the sides of the device. No adhesives or other mechanisms are required to secure the protective cover onto the device, nor are tools required to install or remove the protective cover. Vacuum-forming to match the topography of the device, including the user interface, also enhances the ease in which the device's touch screen interface and/or keypad is actuated.

Thus, the present invention provides an inexpensive, yet durable protective cover that will not interfere with the ability to use the protected device.

A more complete understanding of the durable, clear, protective cover for a data entry terminal will be afforded to those skilled in the art, as well as a realization of additional advantages and objects thereof, by a consideration of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment. Reference will be made to the appended sheets of drawings which will first be described briefly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary data entry device having a touch screen user interface and keypad and an exemplary protective cover for protecting the device;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the protective cover of FIG. 1 disposed on the data entry device of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing exemplary steps of a process for making the protective cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention satisfies the need for an inexpensive, yet durable protective cover for a data entry device that will not interfere with the ability to use the device. In the detailed description that follows, like element numerals are used to indicate like elements appearing in one or more of the figures.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary data entry device 100 having a front 102, a back (not shown), and sides 104. The front 102 may include a touch screen user interface 106, a keypad 108, or both. Where a data entry device has a keypad, it is probable that the data entry device also has display screen, regardless of whether it is a touch screen. A non-touch screen may be exposed to the same hazards of a touch screen, such as being scratched. Therefore, it is desirable to protect a non-touch screen as well. By way of example only, data entry device 100 is shown having both a touch screen 106 and a keypad 108. Data entry device 100 is intended to be illustrative, and not limiting, as to the specific type of device employed.

Protective cover 110 of the present invention has the same topology as at least the front 102 and a portion of the sides 104 of the data entry device 100. The protective cover 110 is made from a single sheet of thin, flexible, and transparent material. The materials and corresponding thicknesses are selected to provide for a resulting protective cover 110 that is thin and malleable enough to allow actuation of the touch screen 106 and/or keypad 108 of the data entry device 100. Specifically, for smaller data entry devices, such as the Intermec 700 Series mobile computer, the protective cover 110 may be constructed from approximately 0.015 to 0.020 inch thick polyurethane sheet stock. For larger devices, such as the Intermec 5055 vehicle mount and stationary computer, the protective cover 110 may be constructed from approximately 0.016 to 0.020 inch thick polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sheet stock.

A deviation of 33% or more from the stated range of thicknesses of materials may result in less than optimal protective covers. For example, using polyurethane sheet stock with a starting thickness of 0.008 to 0.010 inches tends to result in a protective cover that may be too thin in certain places, e.g., corners, and may be prone to ripping or tearing or otherwise lacking in sufficient durability. Conversely, using polyurethane sheet stock with a starting thickness of 0.025 inches tends to result in a protective cover that may be too rigid or thick, thereby inhibiting the actuation of the touch screen and/or keypad. An additional benefit of using the above-mentioned polyurethane or PVC sheet stock is that they are not specialty items; that is, the material is available “off-the-shelf” and is relatively inexpensive. In any case, other materials may be used as long as it achieves the same or similar levels of protection, durability, and flexibility.

A transparent protective cover 110 is desirable because it provides for unobstructed viewing of the protected touch screen 106 and/or any legends on the protected keypad 108. Nevertheless, the protective cover 110 may be translucent or slightly opaque so long as the touch screen 106 and/or legends on the keypad 108 are sufficiently visible through the material. It is also contemplated that the protective cover 110 may be partially transparent and partially colored and/or opaque material, such that at least the material covering the touch screen 106 and/or keypad 108 is transparent, while other areas may be colored or opaque. It is further contemplated that the thin, flexible material covering the keypad 108 would not be transparent, but rather, be painted or otherwise marked to accurately represent the keypad.

FIG. 2 shows the protective cover 110 elastically stretched over the face and at least partially around the sides of data entry device 100. The elasticity of the protective cover 110 allows the protective cover 110 to remain securely fastened to the data entry device 100 without the need for additional securing mechanisms such as adhesives, bonding materials, or clips. Although the protective cover 110 may remain securely fastened to the data entry device 100, the elasticity of the protective cover 110 also allows the user to remove the protective cover 110 with little effort and without the need for any tools. Furthermore, material may be cut from the protective cover 110 should access to the data entry device 100 be required for purposes such as charging the data entry device 100, uploading or downloading information through a port on the data entry device 100, or any other purpose requiring a “plug-in” type interface.

FIG. 3 show exemplary steps of a process 300 for constructing the protective cover of FIG. 1. Process 300 includes a vacuum-forming process to construct the protective cover 100. At step 302, a mold of the data entry device is made. The mold may be made of metal, rubber, epoxy, or any other suitable material, so long as the mold accurately reflects the topography of at least the front and a portion of the sides of the data entry device. This is important because the front of the data entry device generally hosts the touch screen and/or the keypad, while the sides provide the contour necessary to allow the resulting protective cover to be secured to the data entry device without any extraneous fasteners. The topography of the data entry device may be reflected in the exterior of the mold or in the cavity of the mold. And, the actual data entry device itself may serve as the mold. Furthermore, multiple molds or cavities may be constructed so that more than one protective cover may be made at a time.

At step 304, a sheet of polyurethane, PVC, or other suitable material is heated to a pliable state. In a preferred embodiment, approximately 0.015 to 0.020 inch thick polyurethane sheet stock may be used for smaller devices, while approximately 0.016 to 0.020 inch thick polyvinyl chloride (PVC) sheet stock may be used for larger devices. At step 306, a vacuum is applied from beneath the mold and the heated material is drawn down over the mold (or alternatively into the cavity of the mold). As a result, the material is formed to a shape that duplicates the contour of the mold (and hence, the topography of the data entry device). During this process, the material tends to become thinner as it is formed around the edges and corners of the mold, while the material maintains substantially the same thickness over the flat areas of the mold. If the material becomes too thin, it may become less durable and more susceptible to ripping or tearing. If the material is too thick, for example, over flat areas such as the touch screen interface, actuation of the data entry device may be inhibited.

At step 308, the formed material is removed from the mold before it has fully cooled, thereby allowing the formed material to contract such that it is slightly smaller than the mold (and hence slightly smaller than the target data entry device). Because the formed material is slightly smaller than the data entry device, the resulting protective cover may be secured to the data entry device without requiring an external securing mechanism. That is, the tension that the protective cover creates along the sides of the data entry device is sufficient to secure the protective cover to the data entry device.

At step 310, the formed material is trimmed as necessary. There will generally be excess material along the edges of the formed material, which is trimmed off. The amount of material that is trimmed depends on the shape of the data entry device on which the protective cover is designed to fit. In other words, for certain data entry devices, more than 50% of the sides of the data entry device may need to be covered in order for the protective cover to be sufficiently secured to the data entry device, while other data entry devices may require 50% or less of the sides be covered in order for the protective cover to be sufficiently secured.

Having thus described a preferred embodiment of durable, transparent, protective cover for a data entry terminal that will not interfere with the ability to use the data entry terminal, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain advantages of the invention have been achieved. It should also be appreciated that various modifications, adaptations, and alternative embodiments thereof may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. The invention is further defined by the following claims. 

1. A protective cover for use with a data entry device having at least a front and a plurality of sides, the front of the data entry device having at least one of a touch screen interface and a keypad, comprising: a thin, flexible, transparent, unitary structure having a topography corresponding to the front and at least a portion of the plurality of sides of the data entry device, wherein the structure is of sufficient size and elasticity to enable the structure to be secured to the data entry device without using any additional securing mechanism, the structure having a suitable thickness adjacent to at least one of the touch screen interface and keypad to allow actuation of at least one of the touch screen interface and keypad.
 2. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the structure comprises formed polyurethane approximately 0.008 to 0.020 inch in thickness.
 3. The protective cover of claim 2, wherein the thickness of the structure adjacent to the touch screen is approximately 0.015 to 0.020 inches.
 4. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein the structure comprises formed polyvinyl chloride (PVC) approximately 0.008 to 0.020 inch in thickness.
 5. The protective cover of claim 4, wherein the thickness of the structure adjacent to the touch screen is approximately 0.016 to 0.020 inches.
 6. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the structure is colored.
 7. The protective cover of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the structure is opaque.
 8. A data entry device, comprising: a housing having a front, a back, and a plurality of sides, the front of the data entry device having at least one of a touch screen interface and a keypad; and a protective cover comprising a thin, flexible, transparent, unitary structure having a topography corresponding to the front and at least a portion of the plurality of sides of the data entry device, wherein the structure is of sufficient elasticity to enable the structure to be secured to the data entry device without using any additional securing mechanism, the structure having a suitable thickness adjacent to at least one of the touch screen interface and keypad to allow actuation of at least one of the touch screen interface and keypad.
 9. The protective cover of claim 8, wherein the structure comprises formed polyurethane approximately 0.008 to 0.020 inch in thickness.
 10. The protective cover of claim 9, wherein the thickness of the structure adjacent to the touch screen is approximately 0.015 to 0.020 inches.
 11. The protective cover of claim 8, wherein the structure comprises formed polyvinyl chloride (PVC) approximately 0.008 to 0.020 inch in thickness.
 12. The protective cover of claim 11, wherein the thickness of the structure adjacent to the touch screen is approximately 0.016 to 0.020 inches.
 13. The protective cover of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the structure is colored.
 14. The protective cover of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of the structure is opaque.
 15. A process of constructing a protective cover for a data entry device having a front and a plurality of sides, comprising: providing at least one mold of at least the front and a substantial portion of the plurality of sides of the data entry device; heating a single sheet of thin, flexible, transparent material; using a vacuum to draw the heated transparent material down over the mold; removing the transparent material from the mold before the transparent material has fully cooled; and trimming the transparent material such that it will cover only the front and a portion of the plurality of sides of the data entry device.
 16. The process of claim 15, wherein the transparent material comprises polyurethane approximately 0.015 to 0.020 inch in thickness prior to the heating step.
 17. The process of claim 15, wherein the transparent material comprises polyvinyl chloride (PVC) approximately 0.016 to 0.020 inch in thickness prior to the heating step.
 18. The process of claim 15, further comprising the step of coloring at least a portion of the transparent material.
 19. The process of claim 15, further comprising the step of causing at least a portion of the transparent material to become opaque.
 20. A protective cover for use with a data entry device having a front and a plurality of sides, prepared by a process comprising the steps of: providing at least one mold of at least the front and a substantial portion of the plurality of sides of the data entry device; heating a single sheet of thin, flexible, transparent material; using a vacuum to draw the transparent material down over the mold; removing the transparent material from the mold before the transparent material has fully cooled; and trimming the transparent material such that it will cover only the front and a portion of the plurality of sides of the data entry device.
 21. The protective cover of claim 20, wherein the transparent material comprises polyurethane approximately 0.015 to 0.020 inch in thickness prior to the heating step.
 22. The protective cover of claim 20, wherein the transparent material comprises polyvinyl chloride (PVC) approximately 0.016 to 0.020 inch in thickness prior to the heating step.
 23. The protective cover of claim 20, further comprising the step of coloring at least a portion of the transparent material.
 24. The protective cover of claim 20, further comprising the step of causing at least a portion of the transparent material to become opaque. 